Just over a year and a half has passed since the release of Pray for Villains and Devildriver are back with their follow up fifth album “Beast”. After Pray for Villains great success everyone was eager to hear what they would do next.
Dead to Rights certainly sets the pace for this album and is indicative of what is to come. Fast, unrelenting, full power, metal. Bring the fight (to the floor) starts in the same vain certainly one that will get your fist pumping. Operatic guitar sounds are something that gives this album a unique feel. There is such rhythmic intensity but, also a very clear eerie harmonic lead. Hardened starts slowly swirling to life but don’t worry, the beast is canny and soon pounces to life. The catchy chorus will have you yelling hardened at the top of your voice a potential live great with a very Pantera like ending.
Sh*tlist = a true masterpiece. Devildriver’s unique guitar tone, godly drumming and Dez’s crushing vocals make this a truly awesome song; this is the best we have ever heard Devildriver ... and it doesn’t end there. Talons out (teeth sharpened) follows with catastrophic power. Words cannot describe this song we thought Sh*tlist was hard to follow but this is even better. You Make Me Sick is a classic Devildriver song with a feeling much the same as Clouds over California (a classic by the band). The power and speed continues until a brief let up, before being plunged right back into the intensity.
Coldblooded has that same guitar feel (with and excellent solo to add) and catchy chorus making this a song that the band should be remembered by. When people ask you who Devildriver are you will play them this song as it captures everything they sound like. Blur has a brilliant mini intro before another fast paced powerful jaunt, will the intensity end? No! When you think it’s all over it picks straight back up again with that sinister intro/outro. The Blame Game has a little snappy pre-verse which gives way to groove before going to the classic hardcore, all out Devildriver.
Black Soul Choir(16Horsepower cover) is an odd one to say the least even more odd when you listen to the original. Whilst being totally Devildriver it’s also very quirky and reminds me of the Norse metal out of Scandanavia. Crowns of Creation is a return to form with a rocket paced verse and great clean interlude before kicking back into overdrive for the remainder of the song. For all you music buffs the song has a great triplet feel. The last song on the album Lend Myself to the night has you waiting on tenterhooks for the next album. A perfect song to round off a brilliant album, like the rest of the album it is Devildriver’s power and ferocity to the max with some great melodies to add.
From start to finish this is a top class album. If you’re a fan of Pray for Villains then you will love this. The mix of the album is perfect every note can be heard, the drums are brutal and are well worth the mention and Dez is his usual Dez fantastic. Certainly a great way to start 2011.
Beast – Devildriver 9.5/10
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